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Auckland City FC versus YoungHeart Manawatu
Played on 28/02/2010 at Memorial Park |
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YoungHeart and Auckland share the spoils
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Goals |
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Jason Hayne |
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Yellow Cards |
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Samuel Campbell |
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by Andrew Bailey at Memorial Park
nzfc.co.nz
Auckland City and YoungHeart Manawatu have shared the points after an entertaining one all draw in a sunny Palmerston North this afternoon.
Auckland began the day on top of the NZFC pile, but with Waitakere kicking off at the same time, City needed to be efficient and head home with the points.
Despite the visitors perhaps having more to play for, it was the home side that started the brighter.
Takayuki Omi has had an injury disrupted season but he caused the Auckland defence problems in the early stages, twice finding space to run at Spoonley’s goal, with Sam Campbell needing to make two important interventions.
Auckland’s fullbacks were turning up high up the pitch to give the YoungHeart defence some problems of their own.
Pritchett and Hayne combined well down the right regularly, but despite some dangerous deliveries, City couldn’t find a finish.
Omi continued to find joy in the space vacated by the Auckland fullbacks, and in the 21st minute he got in behind one too many times.
He burst into the box on the end of a long ball over the top and this time Sam Campbell could only bundle him over inside the area.
Matt Conger pointed to the spot and booked Campbell; Manawatu thought the card could well have been another colour.
Campbell Banks stepped up to the spot, calmly sent Spoonley the wrong way, and the Manawatu crowd had a rare lead to celebrate.
Auckland responded well, without having it all their own way.
Omi and Banks combined to cause anxious moments once or twice, but City continued their raids down the flanks.
In the 38th minute another good ball from Pritchett finally told.
YoungHeart lost the ball in the middle of the park and it popped out to Pritchett, who whipped in a ball just asking to be put away.
Jason Hayne timed his run to perfection and emphatically lifted the ball into the roof of the net. One each.
There was time left in the half for Auckland to press for another, but YoungHeart hung on and it finished all square at the break.
City started the second period strongly but were unable to manufacture themselves a clear cut chance despite dominating the possession stakes.
Manawatu looked limited to counter attacking raids that, by and large, the visitors were able to deal with.
You sensed that, despite their possession, Auckland were growing frustrated.
They got their chance in the 77th. Coombes got the ball at the top of the box and turned YoungHeart right back Marco Parachinni with concerning ease.
Coombes’ pull back from the byline was met by a charging Alex Feneridis who only had to put it in from just over six yards.
Nicholson threw himself to his left and somehow kept it out to the City bench’s disbelief.
It so nearly proved costly. Des Fa'aiuaso had replaced Banks for Manawatu and the Samoan striker found space between Spoonley and his back four.
He raced onto a delightfully floated ball, chested it past the City keeper and then put it inches wide with the angle closing, while Spoonley and his defence stood helpless on the edge of the box.
It was the turn of the Manawatu bench to despair.
The final five minutes finished with a flurry of half chances and desperate challenges, but it finished all square and both coaches were left to replay the chances that could have snatched their side the three points.
Auckland boss Paul Posa believed it was a game his side could have won, but admitted Manawatu might well feel the same way.
“We’re disappointed about the result here today, of course we want to win every game.
But Manawatu played well. They’ll feel disappointed as well, especially with their chance near the end, it was a good chance.”
Des Fa'aiuaso’s 84th minute chance was fresh in YoungHeart coach Bob Sova’s mind as well.
“He did the right thing, it was a good run and a good control with his chest to make the chance but he was forced wide [of the goal] and he just got his radar wrong.
“We’re disappointed because we had chances and it was a sloppy goal we conceded. It was a good cross and a good finish but we gave the ball away and gave them the chance.”
Auckland may now be looking over their shoulders with a little more concern after Waitakere made short work of Hawkes Bay and closed to within a point.
City still hold two games in hand over their neighbours and closest challengers, though, and Auckland boss is confident in his side’s ability to close the season out.
“It was a tough game today but we’ll keep moving forward and if we win two of the next three we can make sure of the league.”
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Club World Cup December 2009 - UAE |
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